Menands voters approve budget, 171-68

MENANDS – Voters in the Menands School District passed the $8.7 million, 2018-19 school budget by a more than two-to-one margin, 171 to 68.

The budget will increase the overall tax levy by 3.25 percent, which is well below the mandated state tax cap of 5.11 percent.

The district stayed below the cap — which is significantly higher for the K-12 grade school than other area district because of continued, steady growth in the village — despite seeing state aid shrink by $50,000, said Superintendent Maureen Long.

Spending too, will decrease by $26,496 with the elimination of a part time position in the guidance office. That work will be absorbed by other staffers, Long said.

While overall spending is down, Long said the district did see an increase in the cost of special education and for educating students for whom English is not a primary language. The district did add an additional English as a New Language instructor.

The district was facing a gap of some $856,000, but Long said it used reserves to make up the difference.

Unlike other districts, Long would not give what the budget means to a homeowners’ wallet until the equalization rates are set later this summer. She did say, however, it will represent a “minimal” increase.

The board was debating between three different tax rate increases — 3.25, 3.5 and 4 percent — but opted for the smallest.

Also, Jeff Masline, the current Board of Education president, was re-elected to a five-year term.

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